Someone stands to face several charges, including animal cruelty, after 11 stray dogs were found throughout Branchburg Township and several more in other townships that were all severely neglected.

In an almost 24-hour period, 11 stray dogs were found matted, tick-ridden and abandoned in Branchburg Township.

"We brought them back to shelter and settled them in. They were very nervous, we just let them be for a while," said Brian Bradshaw, director of the Somerset Regional Animal Shelter.

The first call on Saturday, April 26, came in just before 1 a.m. of a stray dog near Renda Drive. Then another call near Branchburg Park. Two more calls followed.

"We have animal control 24 hours a day, so our animal control officer went out. We went out for two dogs and ended up finding eight dogs," Bradshaw said.

Melodie Garcia lives in Bridgewater and was moved to stop by and make a donation.

“I was so moved and so sad that people would just not bring them here and just dump them so they can die," Garcia said.

In total, four calls were made, and 11 dogs were found in the Township, but the story doesn’t end there.

In neighboring Bound Brook, seven strays were found and another three in Middlesex, varying in age from 6 months to 5 years old, all similar breeds.

"They all seem to be like a Shitsu, poodle, Maltese, Havanese type. I’m sure they’re all from litters, inbreeding," Bradshaw said.

It’s unclear how long the dogs were on their own, but Bradshaw says someone was feeding them.

"I don’t know how someone goes every day to give them food or water and sees them in this condition and not do anything," Bradshaw said.

Officials say if you live in the surrounding areas, check your surveillance footage and you can send it to police anonymously.

The shelter is accepting monetary help. CLICK HERE to donate.

Branchburg police are asking that anyone with information relating to the investigation call them at 908-526-3830.